Bungie vs. AimJunkies: How a Cheat Lawsuit Shaped Destiny 2's Legal War
Bungie's Destiny 2 cheat lawsuit against AimJunkies advances as a judge denies dismissal, reinforcing copyright claims against cheat-makers.
In a Washington courtroom, a judge delivered a decisive blow to AimJunkies, denying the cheat-maker's request to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Destiny 2 developer Bungie. The site, owned by Phoenix Digital Group, had hoped to escape copyright claims, but the judge found that Bungie had adequately shown grounds for its case. For observers in 2026, this moment stands as a pivotal chapter in the video game industry's escalating legal war against cheat providers—a war that Bungie helped define. ⚖️
A Lawsuit That Refused to Die
Bungie sued AimJunkies earlier in 2022 alongside several other Destiny 2 hack providers. AimJunkies fought every step of the way. In April, it convinced a judge to dismiss the case after Bungie failed to explain how its hacks constituted an illegal copy of Destiny 2's code. Bungie refiled, arguing that AimJunkies reverse-engineered the game's code after a Bungie employee purchased the cheatmaker's program. Then earlier this month, AimJunkies argued that Bungie actually benefited from its products, writing that Destiny 2 had its "most popular months of player counts and sales … during the time AimJunkies offered their software products." The cheatmaker also suggested it would sue the Bungie employee who purchased its cheats, saying that it was a violation of AimJunkies' terms of service. So far, neither threat has come to pass.
The Judge's Ruling
The judge denied AimJunkies' request to dismiss for "lack of personal jurisdiction and improper venue." The judge wrote that Bungie had adequately shown grounds for a copyright claim in its refiling, and that AimJunkies failed to address its "improper venue" claim in its motion. The judge also admonished AimJunkies' lawyer for filing a dismissal that was 13 pages long, one page over the 12-page limit under local rules. A trial date was set for June 2023, although it remained to be seen if AimJunkies would drag the case all the way to trial.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Early 2022 | Bungie sues AimJunkies and other Destiny 2 cheat providers |
| April 2022 | Judge dismisses case; Bungie refiles with reverse-engineering claim |
| Early 2023 | AimJunkies argues Bungie benefited; threatens ToS suit |
| 2023 | Judge denies dismissal; trial set for June 2023 |
| 2026 | Case remains part of Bungie's broader anti-cheat legal legacy |
Bungie's Broader Campaign
Bungie's lawyer stated that suing cheatmakers was both "the right thing to do" and "also good business." That proved true: Bungie was recently awarded $13.5 million in a settlement against Elite Boss Tech, another Destiny 2 cheat provider. By 2026, this strategy has become a blueprint. Game companies now pursue cheat makers with copyright claims, reverse-engineering allegations, and terms-of-service violations. The AimJunkies ruling reinforced that courts may allow such cases to proceed even when cheat makers argue they boost player engagement. 🎮
Why It Matters
The case highlights several legal battlegrounds that remain relevant in 2026:
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Personal jurisdiction: Can a court in Washington hear a case against a cheat site? The judge said yes.
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Improper venue: AimJunkies failed to properly argue this, weakening its motion.
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Copyright and reverse engineering: Bungie's refiling focused on code copying, not just cheating.
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Terms of service: AimJunkies' threat to sue a Bungie employee showed how ToS can cut both ways.
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Business impact: Cheat makers claim they help popularity, but courts focus on infringement.
From the vantage point of 2026, the outcome of the June 2023 trial may be history, but the judge's denial of dismissal remains a precedent. It kept Bungie's copyright claim alive and signaled that cheat makers cannot easily escape lawsuits on procedural grounds. For Destiny 2 players, the fight against cheats continues in lobbies and courtrooms alike. The message is clear: if you sell cheats for a major online game, you may face more than a ban—you may face a judge.